Issues Facing Dentistry Today

[sb1759]

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I feel like I may be asked this in an interview...anyone have some thoughts?

 

[blankguy]

Looking at the interview feedback, this question seems to pop up in a trickier form as what is the negative trend of dentistry or what is going to bug you about dentistry 15 yrs in the future.

 

[Crentist]

there are an incredible number of people in the US without dental insurance. i've volunteered at two different outreach dental clinics, and it always blows my mind how difficult it is for so many Americans to obtain access to quality oral care. i think this is a big issue facing dentistry.

 

[wigglytooth]

I feel like I may be asked this in an interview...anyone have some thoughts?

access to care, discrepancies among socioeconomic classes

 

[ought2sleep]

The increasing amount of cosmetic dentistry seems to be contributing to the distrust some patients have in dentists (they think they are money hungry etc.).

 

[jeezy]

i shadowed a dentist that bought a cerec (makes porcelain crowns in 20 min). coincedently most of his patients wind up getting porcelain crowns

 

[TheWiredNerv]

The major problem in dentistry is that too many dentists are acting like technicians. Very few are thinking outside of the box and trying to advance the field of dentistry. IMO that is the biggest problem in dentistry as well as medicine.

 

[johntara04]

there are an incredible number of people in the US without dental insurance.

Ha ha. I thought the problem with dentistry is that too many people HAVE insurance. 😱😉😀

 

[blankguy]

there are an incredible number of people in the US without dental insurance. i've volunteered at two different outreach dental clinics, and it always blows my mind how difficult it is for so many Americans to obtain access to quality oral care. i think this is a big issue facing dentistry.

I think from the experiences that were posted at dental town we probably have to provide care for these individuals. They tend to be people who go to dentist infrequently, and don't do a good job taking care of themselves. We could be looking at some very hairy cases because of this.

 

[IcemanDDS]

One of the major problems with dentistry that is the root of a lot of other problems is patient education. If people knew the importance of hygiene and took more preventative measures to their oral health, there wouldnt be so many issues with insurance. Minor dental afflictions dont hurt people financially as much as the root canal, crown, bridge, surgery, etc. But this is only one problem. Insurance will always be an issue across all of healthcare. EVERYONE can afford a toothbrush and toothpaste. I mean there are places you can go to get this for FREE. So there is no excuse for bad oral hygiene other than improper education. To us, flossing and brushing properly is obvious but not to everyone.

 

[makushin]

Any loss of economic autonomy of the small practice. Be it to insurance companies, government, or any other entity that wants our service at less than market value. I'm not thats what they want to here, but thats the biggest hurdle for this profession in the future.

 

[aaronyash]

I agree with iceman about the lack of education.